ZIZI KONGO - Back To Back (1990)

Leopard/Hit City, LEO030

Producers & Engineers: John Galanakis & RF Gumbi

Recorded at: Platinum

Following the success of her 1988 debut Come Duze, Zizi Kongo returned with Back To Back. Spreading her wings as an artist, Kongo (real name Elizabeth Mkhwanazi) pens two of the songs on the album ('Ma-Africa' and 'Makabasa'). Dan Nkosi (who wrote all the tracks on her debut album as well as co-produced) takes a step back, this time writing two tracks (the title track and 'Samariya') and leaving the production and all instruments to John Galanakis and Felani Gumbi, also credited with writing two tracks apiece. 

The producers write: "It's been a pleasure working with a talented singer like Zizi. It gives us great satisfaction being able to uncover another side of her, particularly as a potential songwriter of the future. We hope you, her fans, will love her more and encourage her songwriting by listening and supporting her music."

Featuring backing vocals by members of Pure Gold as well as Marilyn Nokwe, Faith Kekana, Beulah Hase and Stella Khumalo, with extra synths by the likes of Vuka Mbele (Vibe Talk, Amaqabane). 

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here.

ZIZI KONGO - Come Duze (1988)

Leopard/Hit City, LEO(O)058
Producers: John Galanakis & Dan Nkosi
Engineer: Daren McNamara
Composer: Dan Nkosi
Recorded at: Platinum

Classic album that established young Elizabeth Mkhwanazi as a bubblegum star, thanks largely to composer and co-producer Dan Nkosi, her homeboy from Mpumalanga. Kongo was the Hit City label's answer to other female stars like Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Mercy Pakela. Led by the anthemic 'Come Duze', the six-track album includes other similar dancefloor-friendly electronic tracks like 'Naughty Street Boys', 'Come Back To Me' and 'It's a Party'.

According to a producers' note on the album: "Zizi is the most exciting new talent to emerge on the local scene and it has been my pleasure to be involved in the production of her debut album. She is the star of the future and I hope to be part of her career for years to come."

The singer herself adds to the liner notes: "Perseverance is the mother of success and it has taken me seven years of struggle to expose my talent."

* Mint copies of this album are available for sale here while stocks last.